​Saturday 4th May 2019 saw over 110 primary school aged girls and boys playing in the Orkney RFC Rookie and Mini rugby tournaments which was kindly sponsored by Insulation King.

45 Rookies (P1 to P3) made up four teams and they each played 3 matches of tag rugby. The matches were keenly contested and saw the Greens edging ahead of the Yellows to take the top spot. Reds came third and Blues were fourth. The Primary 3 players will have taken part in some Transition Sessions, getting them ready for Mini rugby and from what we have seen today, they will blend in seamlessly. Each of the 45 participants received a medal, kindly donated by Insulation King.

​Over 30 Primary 6 & Primary 7 Mini’s players took to the far pitch to play 2 matches each. The three teams were from East, West and Kirkwall. West Greens took 2 victories to win the tournament with East coming in second place and Kirkwall Stripes coming third. These hard fought matches were a great spectacle for Mini Rugby and the under 14 team will benefit greatly from the Primary 7 players moving up.

​Players Player Votes:

East – Louis Hancock

Kirkwall Stripes – Alex Thomson

West Greens – George Wylie

​Coaches Player Votes:

East – Lana Baillie

Kirkwall Stripes – Iestyn Craig

West Greens – Ryan Slater.

​40 Primary 4 & Primary 5 Mini’s players took to the near pitch to play 3 matches each. The four teams were from East, West (x2) and Kirkwall. West Greens took 3 victories to win the tournament with Kirkwall Reds coming in second place with 2 wins. West Blues came third and East came fourth. The rugby was end to end throughout the matches and every player gave it their all.

​Players Player Votes:

East – Magnus Montgomery

Kirkwall Reds – Matthew Meason

West Blues – Orrin Dick

West Greens – Robbie Lyon

​Coaches Player Votes:

East – Juan Harcus

Kirkwall Reds – Kieran Gray

West Blues – Archie McDill

​West Greens – Balfour Norquoy.

Each of the winning teams, Players Player and Coaches Player received a medal kindly sponsored by Insulation King.

​To round off the Mini’s Tournament, the coaches brought in the Barbarians Select matches at both age groups. Following the success of mixing the East, West and Kirkwall players up in Caithness the Barbarians Teams were created from each of the separate teams to play against their fellow players. Both matches again were played in great spirit and it was really good seeing all of the players interacting with one another.

The Tournament organisers wish to thank Insulation King for their sponsorship of the 2019 Rookies and Minis tournament which is greatly appreciated. They would also like to thank the coaches and assistants/helpers for their hard work throughout the year and on the day, a huge thanks should go to the helpers who erected and dismantled the tent, the referees, Ewan MacKenzie/Picky for setting out the pitches and the parents for donating the food and helping to serve it.

Finally, a HUGE well done to ALL of the players today and throughout the 2018/19 season. You have done your own sections and Orkney RFC proud. Let’s hope that the Primary 7 players will get stuck in to the two Transition Sessions in the coming weeks and get another 100% success rate in attending under 14 rugby. To the remaining Rookies and Mini’s......we will see you all again in September.